Programme 2022-2023

Master in Mathematics, Teaching focus

 Th.+Ex.Credits/Block
12
 Th.+Ex.Credits/Block
12

Cours obligatoires

  
SSPSM101Science, ethics and developmentSartenaer Olivier, TILMAN Valérie (substitute)18h+6h3
SMATM110Computer Programming ProjectHERMAN Nicolas, MORIAMÉ Martin, SIMAL Cédric0h+45h3
SMATM101Systems and controlWinkin Joseph30h+30h6
SMATM102Multivariate Data Analysis and Statistical SoftwaresVAN BEVER GERMAIN30h+30h6
SMATM103Numerical linear algebra: direct and iterative methodsSartenaer Annick30h+30h6
SMATM104Qualitative theory of dynamical systemsCarletti Timoteo, Daquin Jérôme (substitute)30h+30h6
SSPSM201Philosophy of MathematicsLambert Dominique15h3
SMATM205Foundations of MathematicsDegauquier Vincent30h3

Cours au choix

  
SMATM227Méthodes avancées pour les systèmes non linéairesMAUROY Alexandre30h+30h6
SMATM135Technological applications and mathematics30h+30h6
SMATM120Statistiques avancéesVAN BEVER GERMAIN30h+30h6
SMATM122Functional approach to dynamical systemsMAUROY Alexandre, Winkin Joseph, HASTIR Anthony (substitute), HASTIR Anthony (substitute)30h+30h6
SMATM224Mathematical modelling of infectious diseasesFranco Nicolas30h+30h6
SMATM123Questions in probability and statisticsHERMAN Nicolas30h+30h6
SMATM121General relativity and cosmologyFuzfa Andre30h+30h6
SMATM127Celestial Dynamics and resonances Libert Anne-Sophie30h+30h6
SMATM130Special questions of Mathematics De Landtsheer Renaud, SALNIKOV Vsevolod30h6

Langues

  
SELVM202Réactualisation du Néerlandais (niveau B1)LABATE Simon, Vanparys Johan45h3
SELVM201Perfectionnement d'Anglais (niveau B2+)Zimmer Carole45h3

Mémoire

  
SMATM111Introduction to mathematical writingLibert Anne-Sophie15h3
SMATM201Master thesis 21

Finalité didactique

  

Cours obligatoires

  
FAGRM406Psychopédagogie IIBiemar Sandrine, Romainville Marc30h+10h3
FAGRM401Education scolaire et sociétéBiemar Sandrine, Romainville Marc30h+10h4
FAGRM402Psychopédagogie IBiemar Sandrine, Romainville Marc30h+20h4
FAGRM409Foundations of neutralityTILMAN Valérie20h2
SAGRM205Didactics and Epistemology of MathematicsHenry Valérie15h+25h3
SAGRM208Teaching practice in the classroomHenry Valérie0h+35h6
SAGRM216Practics of the Didactics of MathematicsHenry Valérie10h+20h3

Enseigner une autre discipline

  
SAGRM202Didactique et épistémologie de la physique I - PartimDias De Carvalho Junior Gabriel30h3
SAGRM217Teaching another Course than MathematicsNihoul Céline15h+15h3

Cours au choix

  
SSPSB202Histoire des sciences - PartimSartenaer Olivier15h2
FAGRM407Interroger les aspects relationnels et émotionnels du métier d'enseignantBiemar Sandrine10h+5h2
SAGRM213Didactical Comparison between Experimental Sciences and MathematicsDias De Carvalho Junior Gabriel, Henry Valérie, Vervoort Arnaud15h2
FAGRM404Analyse des pratiquesBiemar Sandrine8h+7h2
FAGRM403Education aux nouvelles technologies de l'enseignement et de l'apprentissageDumortier Laurence15h2
FAGRM405Initiation aux pratiques de tutoratRomainville Marc4h+11h2
 CreditsHours/Semester
12
CreditsHours/Semester
12

Cours obligatoires

   
SSPSM201Philosophy of MathematicsLambert Dominique315 - 0
SMATM205Foundations of MathematicsDegauquier Vincent330 - 0

Langues

   
SELVM202Réactualisation du Néerlandais (niveau B1)LABATE Simon, Vanparys Johan345 - 0
SELVM201Perfectionnement d'Anglais (niveau B2+)Zimmer Carole345 - 0

Mémoire

   
SMATM201Master thesis 21

Finalité didactique

   

Cours obligatoires

   
FAGRM406Psychopédagogie IIBiemar Sandrine, Romainville Marc330 - 10
FAGRM401Education scolaire et sociétéBiemar Sandrine, Romainville Marc430 - 10
FAGRM402Psychopédagogie IBiemar Sandrine, Romainville Marc430 - 20
FAGRM409Foundations of neutralityTILMAN Valérie220 - 0
SAGRM205Didactics and Epistemology of MathematicsHenry Valérie315 - 25
SAGRM208Teaching practice in the classroomHenry Valérie60 - 35
SAGRM216Practics of the Didactics of MathematicsHenry Valérie310 - 20

Enseigner une autre discipline

   
SAGRM202Didactique et épistémologie de la physique I - PartimDias De Carvalho Junior Gabriel330 - 0
SAGRM217Teaching another Course than MathematicsNihoul Céline315 - 15

Cours au choix

   
SSPSB202Histoire des sciences - PartimSartenaer Olivier215 - 0
FAGRM407Interroger les aspects relationnels et émotionnels du métier d'enseignantBiemar Sandrine210 - 5
SAGRM213Didactical Comparison between Experimental Sciences and MathematicsDias De Carvalho Junior Gabriel, Henry Valérie, Vervoort Arnaud215 - 0
FAGRM404Analyse des pratiquesBiemar Sandrine28 - 7
FAGRM403Education aux nouvelles technologies de l'enseignement et de l'apprentissageDumortier Laurence215 - 0
FAGRM405Initiation aux pratiques de tutoratRomainville Marc24 - 11

Learning outcomes (Program)

The Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences at Unamur ensures the development of a rigorous and precise mind, on the lookout for applications and developments in modern society activities.

As students complete their guided practical work and their research project and dissertation, they exploit theory and apply it to areas that are relevant to current real life problems. They design solutions to problems they analyse and supervise their implementation.

Teaching staff and the naXys centre (Centre Namurois des Systèmes Complexes) offer an environment for research which is not only at the core of the Master’s degree in Mathematics but also represents its strength. Students may specialise in areas chosen from a wide range of options offered by the staff’s various fields of research.

Students also develop personal skills of independence, ability to communicate, knowledge and use of languages, as well as philosophical and ethical reflection, which will lead them to responsibly play the role of scientists within our modern society.

Objectives (Program)

The Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences at Unamur, granting 120 credits, focuses on applied mathematics. Its aim is to provide society with scientists who not only have thorough knowledge of mathematical theory but also a clear focus on how to apply this theory to a wide range of sectors. From the understanding of a problem to the discussion of results, Unamur students experience the process of designing a programme, translating it to the appropriate language, improving algorhythms or demonstrating a quicker convergence, thus developing the ability to approach problems linked to a wide range of fields such as economics, astronomy, sociology, chemistry or communication. The partnership with experts in each particular field allows students to benefit from the development of a rigorous approach, a sense of modelisation, and the ability to synthesise information from a variety of sources.  Similar transferable skills and strengths will be necessary in any kind of scientific partnership committed to the elaboration of multidisciplinary projects, regardless of the choice of career, whether it be teaching, public service, work within private sectors or research.

Description

The Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences, granting 120 credits, links theory and practice, and combines analytical and numerical approaches. Three main focuses are offered : In-depth focus, focus on teaching, and focus on specialisation, each orientation leading to 30 specific credits within the 120 required credits. Students are first allowed to choose subjects from a wide range of options and then begin to concentrate on those that are specific to the sought focus, either in the first or the second year of the Master’s degree, depending on how their decision evolves. The training includes compulsory courses as well as optional courses, internships / work placements and personal projects, plus a research project and dissertation on a chosen topic to conclude the studies.

High-level techniques of programming, learning of languages and ethical reflection on sustainable development, as well as the possibility of an exchange programme under the Erasmus scheme, are all aspects with which Unamur seeks to enhance the profile of today’s mathematician, regardless of the chosen focus.

The Master’s degree with a focus on teaching

The degree with a focus on teaching also allows for the spreading out of the courses over two years.  This choice is particulary appreciated, as it gives students the chance to begin their training in teaching while continuing the courses in applied mathematics, thus benifiting from complementary approaches.

The 30 credits granted by the degree with a focus on teaching are exactly the same as those granted in the AESS programme (« Agrégation de l’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur » / Qualified Teacher’s Status) The AESS Teaching Degree is granted automatically to students having chosen the Master’s degree with a focus on teaching.

Training sessions consisting of both observation and actual teaching, are at the core of this orientation.  They take place within the Belgian secondary system, in different sections including « général, technique, professionnel ».   The training sessions are an application of Psychology and Education courses, as well as courses focusing specifically on the teaching of Mathematics in secondary.

Students who choose to spread out the specialisation courses over the two years of the Master’s degree can begin the internship / work placement in a firm or entity and follow the training in management from the first year on. The carrying out of the project then takes place more specifically in the second year.


Teaching methods

The Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences in Namur, granting 120 credits, with its three focuses and its approach towards applied mathematics, offers training covering very diversified courses, whether compulsory or optional :

  • Mathematics courses associated with practicals, including exercices, programming  and the use of specific software (Matlab in particular)
  • optional courses, where staff members ensure that they meet the needs of their audience, and enhance their course with the most recent research results ;
  • training where traditional courses are replaced by lectures, personal projects, applications developed as partnerships between staff members and students ;
  • a course which students are obliged to take outside the department and which requires approval by the academic secretary, constituting a reinforcement of the dissertation topic or of a personal project, and contributing to students’ reflections about their individual learning process and personal and professional choices
  • internships / work placements that are closely linked to the chosen focus : insertion lasting more than 3 months within a research laboratory for the degree with in-depth focus, a short and intensive immersion period of a few weeks in a firm for the degree with a focus on specialisation, practice periods spread out over several months in different sectors of the the secondary teaching system for the degree with a focus on teaching ;
  • a stay in London, prepared and assessed, replacing a part of the English course offered to students in the second year
  • the carrying out of a research project and dissertation which spreads out over a period of 18 months and allows students to be in contact with the world of scientific production and elaboration in applied mathematics : topics, methodology, follow-up, support in writing and communication vary depending on orientations and on supervisors. This project is an opportunity of intense collaboration with one or more researchers or staff members, where students can give evidence of their maturity and independence in the choice and the handling of a topic, while showing awareness of their weaknesses as well as their strengths. 

Assessment methods

The idea of a traditional examination, where restitution of theory was at the core of the assessment, has practically disappeared from the Master’s degree programme. Students are naturally requested, in certain cases, to prove full knowledge of the material covered in courses, but the emphasis is on their ability to apply this knowledge wisely.

A good number of examinations have been replaced, partially or completely, by a variety of personal projects such as the elaboration of a poster, the model establishment and numerical resolution of a problem from its design to its completion, or even a critical commentary of one or more topic-related articles.

After all practice periods, reports about the experience are required. Students are encouraged to reflect on the lessons learnt, as well as to refer to their training and analyse their reactions when faced with the reality of the work world, whether it be in schools or in firms.

Beyond pure academic knowledge of theoretical concepts, the elements which constitute the main criteria for assessment in this Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences with an approach towards applied mathematics, are rigour in writing and in reasoning, ability to analyse and prioritise, and the highlighting of relevant elements.

Mobility and international openness

The Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences, granting 120 credits, offers the possibility of an exchange under the Erasmus scheme during the second half-term of the first year. 30 credits are granted for courses which are to be chosen among the options within the programme. Contacts have been established primarily with Spain, France, Italy and Sweden.

Students doing the Master’s degree with in-depth focus carry out an internship / work placement in another research laboratory, often abroad.

Students doing the Master’s degree with a focus on specialisation do their internship / work placement in Belgium or in a bordering country, or, more rarely, in the framework of Cooperation in Development, in countries such as India or the Philippines.

Some students take advantage of the obligation to take a course abroad to have an experience at international level, either in Lille (following an agreement between Belgian francophone Universities and the University in Lille), or within a unique set-up, such as a thematic intensive course, offered in exceptional terms.

Training in English for students in the second year of the Master’s degree, regardless of the focus, includes a three-day stay in London, followed by an assessment.

Jury

Timoteo Carletti (Chairman)
Valérie Henry (Secretary)